Feast Day of Rector Magnificus Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran, f.s.g., Ph.D.
July 7, 1945
He was Born in Chachoengsao Province. His father and mother were very devout parents who faithfully practiced their catholic faith with ardent love of God. This was clearly evident in their 10 children who had absorbed the good example of their parents.
He was raised in a good practicing catholic family. This was the beginning of his step toward a “Religious Vocation” which he faithfully answered and the path he still walks along today.
His Religious Life
After finishing his junior secondary school level from Assumption College Sriracha, he continued his senior secondary school at St.Gabriel’s College as an aspirant. During this time he had the opportunity to be close to the Brothers of St. Gabriel and to observe how the brothers lived their religious lives. He was put under the care of Bro. Vincent Mary who instilled in him the wisdom and knowledge of religion. This experience had a strong influence on the young novice who was later sent to study the rules, practices, and spirituality of the Order at itsnovitiate/seminary (Eachinkadu Yercaud Salem Dt.) in India.
On December 8, 1963 received his Religious Habit with the Name “Bro. Albert Laurence” The young novice Bancha could discern the path of his future to answer the call of religious vocation, so he decided to enter religious life . He received his religious habit with the name Bro. Albert Laurence. After that he studied theology for one year.
1964 He Studied Theology for 1 Year
He studied at Loyola College, Madras, India. Later he realized that to devote oneself entirely to duty requires not only self-sacrifice but also the thirst for knowledge and the practice of virtuous acts under definite rules and clear objectives. “This led to his decision to devote himself to the glory of God.” He took his religious first vows in 1965.
1967-1970 Served as Teacher at Assumption College Rayong
As his first job, he taught general subjects at Assumption College Rayong
1970 Taking his Religious Perpetual Vows
1974-1977 Assumed his Role as Director of Assumption College Thonburi
During his tenure as school director, the school was provided with a variety of new facilities through his initiative.
The Major Improvements included:
- Expansion of school library to the size of six classrooms.
- Acquisition of more laboratory apparatus.
- Expansion of student dormitory to accommodate more students from up-country.
- Replacement of old barbed-wire fence of the school with concrete walls.
- Renovation of the defunct Assumption Vocational School to be used as a boarding house for aspiring novices.
- Made use of Montfort House as a training center for aspiring novices before they were sent to India for further study.
1978 - 1984 Appointed as Vice President for Student Affairs, ABAC
In his capacity as then ABAC’s Vice President for Student Affairs, he promoted democracy by setting up an internal electoral system for students to vote for student leaders or presidents for various clubs.
1979-1982 Served as Director of Assumption College Samrong
1985-1991 Director of St. Gabriel’s College
Serving as a director of St. Gabriel’s College, he developed the curriculum, effective teaching and learning methods, systematic work performance evaluations, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities like sports, music, drawing, etc. On top of those achievements, he oversaw the construction of Hubert Memorial Building in tribute to Bro. Hubert, a former director of the school.
October 27, 1990 Celebration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of his Religious Profession
1991 – 1993 Performed as Vice President for Student Affairs, Assumption University
1994 – 2003 Served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Assumption University
Assuming the role of Vice President for Academic Affairs, he focused on developing educational quality, qualifications of instructors and constantly improving the curricula while enhancing cooperation with various renowned local and international institutions.
November 14, 2002 Appointment as President of Assumption University
The Chairman of the University Council, Bro. Sakda Kitcharoen announcing the appointment of Bro. Bancha as the new President of Assumption University.
May 23, 2003 Greeting Princess Ubol Ratana
Princess Ubol Ratana presided over the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Forum 2003 “The Human Equation: Investing in Youth for a Sustainable Future” taking place on 20-26 May 2003 at John XXIII Conference Center at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
February 11, 2004 Greeting His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio
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August 20, 2004 Greeting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the inauguration ceremony of Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center, The College of Internet Distance Education at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
March 10, 2007 Attended the Joint Meeting of Asian University Presidents/Rectors in Rome, Italy
Bro. Bancha had an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the “Meeting of Asian University Presidents/Rectors” in Rome, Italy, organized by the International Federation of Catholic Universities.
November 30, 2007 Greeting Her Royal Highness Princess Somsawalee
Her Royal Highness Princess Somsawalee graciously presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
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June 24, 2010 Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Assumption University
The 40th Anniversary of Assumption University was celebrated with a Holy Mass in the Chapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus. His Grace Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit, Archbishop of Bangkok ,was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass.
December 7, 2010 Greeting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the official inauguration of the new faculty’s buildings for Montfort Del Rosario School of Architecture and Design, the Albert Laurence School of Communication Arts and the Communication Arts Studio at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus on the occasion of the celebration of the University’s 40th Anniversary.
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March 29, 2011 Greeting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn inaugurated the 5th Thai-US Roundtable meeting on 29 March 2011 at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
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November 1, 2011Appointment as Rector Magnificus
Exhibiting remarkable managerial skills and extraordinary achievements, he was appointed AU’s Rector Magnificus, the title bestowed upon him by Rev. Bro. Dr. Sirichai Fonseka, the Provincial Superior of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, Province of Thailand, at the Chapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
April 27, 2012 Greeting His Eminence Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu
His Eminence Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu presided over the inaugural blessing of the Martin de Tours School of Management & Economics’ Building at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus.
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March18, 2013 Granted “Scholar Award” in Education (Educational Administration)
He was granted the “Scholar Award” in Education (Educational Administration) by Professor Mom Luang Pin Malakul Foundation Under Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Patronage.
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November 8, 2015
Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Religious Profession
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November 4, 2015 Greeting Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Esmeralda of Belgium and Sir Salvador Moncada, The Princess’ Husband
Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Esmeralda of Belgium and her husband Sir Salvador Moncada were guests of honor at the “Thai-Belgian Friendship: Economic Forum” sponsored by the Martin de Tours School of Management and Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, held at John XXIII Conference Center, Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi campus.
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August 7, 2017 Marigold Planting in Tribute to the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bro. Bancha and Assumption University community joined in the Marigold Planting in tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus
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December 7, 2019 Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana Presided over Assumption University’s 50th Anniversary Grand Celebration
Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana graciously presided over the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Assumption University of Thailand, at Suvarnabhumi Campus. On this occasion, Her Majesty was conferred upon an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science by Assumption University. Conferment of the honorary doctorate took place at the Chapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. Read more...
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Educational Background |
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1997 Post Doctoral Studies in Higher Education Management Programme, Universities of Warwick and Oxford, England |
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1995 Ph.D. (Educational Administration), Illinois State University, U.S.A. |
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1981 M.A. (School Administration), St. Mary’s College of California, U.S.A. |
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1971-1974 B.Sc. (Mathematics), St. Louis University, |
Receiving Numerous Royal Thai Decorations
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1993 Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn |
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1998 Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand |
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2004 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn |
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2010 Companion (Fourth Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn |
Assumption University Being Granted Numerous Outstanding Awards in Recognition of its Successes and Achievements under the Management & Leadership of Rev. Bro.Bancha Saenghiran, f.s.g., Ph.D.:
Some Publications of Rev. Bro. Dr. Bancha Saenghiran
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Continue reading more information from Bro. Bancha’s Collection Website: https://banchacollection.au.edu/
At Assumption University of Thailand
The prize, and drinking water of Assumption University of Thailand are named by the patron saint of Rev. Bro. Dr. Bancha Saenghiran;
The Albert Prize
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Background of “The Albert Prize” Award
The Albert Prize, derived from Christian name of Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran and is used to reflect and commemorate the Brother President’s unwavering and incessant commitment to promoting and enhancing quality of student activities, is a set of prestigious awards for outstanding student projects, student activity units, and students who initiated and implemented quality student activity that significantly contribute to their learning experience.
The pivotal aim of the prize is to recognize students with outstanding student activities in each academic year, and simultaneously encourage them to continue improving their activity quality, thereby enabling them to gain more knowledge and valuable experience, and heighten their contribution to the community in which they are members.
Awards objectives
- To recognize the outstanding student activities, student activity units, and student leaders.
- To uplift standard of student activity.
Albert Laurence Drinking Water
On 17 November 2006 the Graduate School of Business Administration, Assumption University of Thailand, organized the cocktail party “Cowboy Night” on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of OD, Organizational Management and Development Program and the 22nd anniversary of the Graduate School of Business Administration.
On this occasion, Assumption University also launched Albert Laurence drinking water, a new product under the ABAC-ICE Center project or the Center for the Promotion of Small and Medium Businesses, Assumption University.
English for All by Albert Laurence
“English for All by Albert Laurence” (E4ALL), which was developed from 7 steps to English Proficiency, created by Rev. Bro. Dr. Bancha Saenghiran, President of Assumption University. It was designed to be an activity-based English program. The program aims to develop student’s confidence in English communication and to promote self-directed learning concept.
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Sources:
Edgar, T. & Cross, D. J. (n.d.). Saint Bartholomew’s Catholic Church. https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/stalbanssouth/wp-content/uploads/sites/191/2013/12/12-November.pdf
Saint Albert the Great.(n.d.). Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=144
